Love or hate Google’s products? But want to help them improve it? Being an avid user may qualify you for Google’s User Experience Research Panel. You can get gift cards for surfing the internet and providing feedback to Google on their services, from a user’s point of view.
Google’s User Experience Research Panel – Tell Me More
People working from home will tell you that the best employer to do just that is Google. Some lucky few do have that great privilege, but the opportunity is limited.
Still, if you are a Google product user, you may have the chance to “work” for them. It’s through Google’s User Research Panel.
Google’s User Experience Research Panel is a survey program wherein Google asks their users to provide their honest feedback on their products, services, and features.
Google needs YOU to participate in that survey panel, and they will give you gift cards for your “service.” In short, you will be a paid product tester.
How Can I Apply For This Program?
- 18 years old and above
- Internet user
- Google use and understanding is not necessary.
- Register first as a tester
Where Are The Test Centers Located?
You will test Google products in different locations and situations.
- You can be asked to go to a Google central office. (more chances of earning for those within the area)
- Some testers are asked to do it on a research van.
- Others are paid to test at their homes.
- Some are allowed to try Google products in their place of business.
- Testers were also given the online approach – through a personal computer or mobile gadget.
As for Google offices, they have centers in California (Mountain View, San Francisco, and San Bruno), Washington (Seattle and Kirkland), and in Manhattan, New York.
Signing Up For The Google User Research Panel
-
Go to this page and register.
-
Fill up the form as honestly as possible.
-
Thoroughly answered forms get higher chances of Google contacting them for the job.
-
You will answer specific questions like where you live – what part of the world, how many languages you are fluent in and the likes.
-
Fill up the profile survey completely. (It will have questions about your social media and device usage, etc.)
-
There will be many surveys, and once you complete all of it, Google will be more likely to give you a heads up on the program. It’s not expected of you to finish the optional surveys in one sitting, though.
-
For incomplete registration, Google might email you to fill it up.
Signing Up For Studies: Five Types
- Usability Study In One Of Google’s Main Offices (California, Washington, or New York)
- A Google researcher will meet with you for a one-on-one set-up which will take about 60-90 minutes.
- You will be testing a new service by Google or an already released product.
- After the test, you will provide your opinion.
- The testing happens from Monday to Friday, regular business hours. (9am to 6pm)
- Remote Usability Study
- Remote means “away from the center,” and you will be providing your feedback to the researcher through a screen-share session.
- You will test a feature/product, and then, answer questions given by the researcher.
- Your internet must be top notch to do this study.
- Experiential Sampling Study
- The tester will have to do a series of activities each day for some days using your smartphone, personal computer, laptop, or mobile device.
- You will have to provide your feedback while using the Google service to a researcher after answering some questions.
- Field Test Study
- Google’s researcher will go to your home, office or place of business.
- They will arrange the event and all the details.
- It will take 60-90 minutes for the whole test to complete.
- Answering Surveys
- There’s no payment involved in answering surveys. You have to fill it out and send.
I Want To Participate. How Do I Join?
The beauty of answering surveys is that Google might pick up on your answers and match with you with their tests.
Don’t expect it to be soon, though. You will have to wait for the opportunity.
A Google researcher will contact you through email days, weeks, or months after your register. There’s no exact time or day for their reply. Hold on, and be patient.
Once you receive your invitation, it will include relevant information about what type of study you will be doing, the time, and the place, among others.
Some testers also answer the Eligibility Questionnaire.
Remember, during your test, there are no right or wrong answers. Try the Google service and answer honestly. Your answers will help Google improve their products, services, or features.
You will also have to sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) before they let you on the survey panel.
Of course, involving yourself in the test is entirely voluntary, and you can opt out at any time.
About The Rewards
We base the rewards on claims by users online who have participated in such studies.
- AMEX gift card or gift checks worth $75
- $100 gift code from perks.com – a user who participated in the usability study, revealed that information.
- A post from a Reddit user said - $120 gift card from Cabela
- In 8 months, another Reddit user revealed total earnings of $300 in Visa gift cards.
Reviews From Google’s User Experience Research Testers
- There were a lot of questions to answer, according to the testers.
- The profile form took too long to complete – more than 20 minutes for most users.
- Many of them look forward to a repeat survey or test saying they had a great time doing it.
- Testing is smooth, and the reward is good.
OUR VERDICT: Scam Or Legit?
Is this a scam or is it legit? Here’s a rundown of what we think of Google’s User Experience Research Panel program based on our research. First off, it won’t put a significant cash inflow to your wallet. Secondly, you might forget that you signed up for it until they contact you to participate in the study. They won’t communicate with you immediately, and for most, they won’t contact you at all.
Assuming they emailed you to participate. If Google likes your “work,” then, it will be a constant stream of gift cards for you. For some, answering surveys is exciting, but really not everyone likes that, and for some, it’s fishy. But with answering these surveys, you are helping Google with your comments and feedback.
Google facilitates this test, and it is one of the largest companies on the entire planet. Proofs of payment for Google’s User Experience Research Panel through gift cards are visible all over the internet. As such we believe, IT IS 100% LEGIT.
User Experience Research Screenshots
Click to Zoom
What Do You Think?
Will you let us know if you’ve contributed in Google’s User Experience Research Panel? In what study did you participate? How was it for you? Did you like it? Disliked it? Why? What rewards did you get? Tell us about your experience and comment below!